just wondering if there are any year models to avoid?
obviously the newer the better right? or all of them mostly on level playing ground?
if ur a newb and it's ur 1st bike the buy a pre 04 which will not have fairings to smash when u drop it. The drivetrain has not changed since they were made so any year is fine.
There is little difference between any of the years since 1989 in performance, besides the addition of the fairing. Some people will tell you to get the unfaired ones (pre-2002) because it is easier on the wallet if you are a new rider. The short answer is that you can't go wrong with any post '89 GS.
However, you should take into account the types of things you normally would when buying a used vehicle.
Things like:
Anything less than 20K is reasonably low miles, be more critical of bikes with more than 30K.
Did the previous owner properly maintain the bike?
Rust on the Tank?
Does she run smoothly?
Etc.
Carbs changed - in '01? But having had an '00 and now having an '04 - they're not discernibly different. :P
The '89 had the clipons that some dearly love. But it's almost exactly the same bike through the years. Care more about the condition and price of the bike you're looking at than the model year.
Mr. Pink has the beautiful faired version. He tells you to buy the unfaired one, but he doesn't have to look at it everyday. If you can find a good deal on a faired one, I say go for it. Yeah, you'll jack it up, but I personally think that the added benefit of having a head turning bike is worth it. Then again, if you aren't narcissistic at all then it doesn't make as much sense to spend the extra money. Plus, you could always spend a few hundred on the unfaired one and streetfighter it. :thumb:
ok thanks i dont like the fairings anyway, i like em naked. :mrgreen:
thats good the bike i was looking at was an 89, its the wrong color, but i want to paint the tank and rear tail fairing, wheels, and chain guard matte black.
ive ridden a gs once and i liked it, so i figured it be a good place to start.
but in time id like to move up to an s2r or a 599 or 919 all "dark" or matte and naked
:thumb: